The Song of Solomon

The Song of Solomon or Song of Songs (meaning the greatest song)  was not written by Solomon and in fact the author is unknown.  The reference to Solomon in the title is to add cache and give credence and greater status to the writings.  The book is thought to be written after the Hebrews returned from their Babylonian exile so post 539 B.C.

Like the books of Ruth and Ecclesiastes, there is no mention of God in the Song of Solomon.

The language is colorful, lyrical, luxuriant.  The reading is almost entertaining.  Human sexuality and married love are metaphors for God's love of his people and vice versa.

Tobit

The events in in the Book of Tobit occur after the fall of Israel to the Assyrians in 722 B.C., but the book is thought to have been written around 200 B.C.  This book, as well as  those of Judith and Esther, gives some insight into the life of the Israelites in exile. Tobit himself was carried off to the Assyrian capital of Nineveh where he remained a devout and observant Jew.  In the Jewish Bible, these books are considered to be history or 'writings,' yet they aren't historical in any strict sense of the word; Baker suggests that they're wisdom literature because they instruct in practical matters concerning faith and daily life.  (However, note that the wisdom literature proper  begins with Job.)

The tale of Tobit is a good one (though not as good as the story of Esther), and I became quite invested in knowing what exactly would come of the marriage between Tobit's son, Tobias, and the  bewitched Sarah.  Like Ruth and Boaz, Tobias and Sarah have a redemptive and refining effect on one another and their respective families. Through her marriage to Tobias, the unfortunate Sarah is finally rid of the demon, Asmodeus, that killed her seven (that's 7) previous husbands.  And through his obedience to his father (and his guardian angel!), Tobias is able to help expunge the demon from Sarah and then restore his father's eyesight.  Both Sarah and her now-father-in-law Tobit gain a new desire to live because of the marriage of Sarah and Tobias.   The angel adds to the mystery and suspense in the story and lends a bit of a fairy tale flavor as does the strange fish that provides the needed cleansing potions.

Ruth

Book Written: Sometime between 900-700 B.C.

Time Period/Setting: Time of Judges; between 1200-1000 B.C.

Title:  Named after protagonist of story though Naomi is equally a central figure


The website, Catholic Womanhood, published my reflection on the Book of Ruth. You can read it here.